Today at a press conference, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced an upcoming free screening for prostate cancer and commemorated the launch of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Texas. The Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Health Department, Harris Health Systems, Hope for Families, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and District D City Councilman Dwight Boykins have partnered for the Annual Prostate Screening event on Saturday, September 28th from 9:00AM – 3:00PM at Good Hope MBC at 3015 N. MacGregor Way.

“It is important to raise awareness of prostate cancer,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “As men we are often reluctant to have a public discussion of our health, and in doing so, we put our own selves at risk. City Hall will be blue during September, to recognize Prostate Cancer Awareness month and those who have lost their fight and who are currently battling prostate cancer.”

“One of my privileges during Session was to sponsor a Resolution with Senator Borris Miles, making September Prostate Cancer Awareness month in Texas,” said State Representative Harold Dutton. “All of us have been impacted, either ourselves or someone we know and love. My dad died of prostate cancer. I don’t know that he ever got screened. With early screening, we can prevent this disease. Hopefully, with this Resolution, and with the Mayor and the Good Hope Church, more men in Houston will be aware of the consequences of not being screened. Bottom line is men should not be ashamed.”

“As a public health practitioner, I know that nobody should still be dying from prostate cancer,” said Dr. Faith E. Foreman-Hays, Deputy Assistant Director, Houston Health Department. “We have a way to screen for it and treat it. I really want to encourage African American men to come out and be screened. The screening is complimentary, which means it is free. Please don’t die of embarrassment and shame. Come out and get your screening.”

“It has long been a commitment of this church to serve as a conduit for both empowering and equipping the community with awareness in regards to prostate cancer and the importance of screening,” said Chris Johnson, Community and Social Services Director, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. “We are losing our single men to cancer. We are suffering because we have men dying decades earlier than they should. We want to get this word out to our fathers, our uncles, our sons and our papas. We want to serve as health navigators for our family and our loved ones.”